Apparatus, system for scheduling and broadcasting media, automatic channel scheduling method and recording medium

Abstract

Disclosed are an apparatus and a system for scheduling and broadcasting media, and an automatic channel scheduling method. In particular, the disclosure is applied to establishing a scheduling and broadcasting system for digital content over a data network, such as to an enterprise. An automatic channel scheduling method is disclosed. A step in the method is to generate a content broadcasting request. Then the step is to acquire information related to the content from a resource, and to store the content. The system is to configure the broadcasting channel, object to be distributed, type to broadcast, and the broadcasting time in accordance with the request and attribute of the content. Consequently, the content is broadcasted to the one or more chosen terminal display devices.

1 . A media scheduling and broadcasting apparatus, comprising:
 a content capturing module, retrieving digital content generated from a digital content source;   a content management module, providing the digital content for searching and browsing, wherein information retrieved from the digital content includes time information, and attribute of the digital content;   a channel management module, connected with the content management module, for configuring one or more broadcasting channels for the digital content;   a program scheduling module, in accordance with the time information of the digital content, for configuring a broadcast time and scheduling the digital content to the channel;   a layout configuration module, for configuring a layout of display of one or more terminal display devices; and   a playback-end management module , for managing the display and condition to play of the one or more terminal display devices, and automatically regulating a way to broadcast the digital content, and configuring the one or more terminal display according to the broadcasting channel, the terminal display device to be broadcasted, and the broadcasting time.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising a codec module connected with the program scheduling module, wherein the codec module automatically performs a codec conversion of the digital content into a format adapted to the one or more terminal display devices according to a schedule made by the program scheduling module. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising a content streaming module, which broadcasts the digital content the one or more terminal display devices in a streaming process in accordance with the configured broadcasting channel, the terminal display device to be broadcasted, and the broadcasting time. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising a file delivery module, which broadcasts the digital content to a media player in form of a file in accordance with the broadcasting channel, the terminal display device to be broadcasted, and the broadcasting time. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising a content storing unit used for storing the digital content retrieved from the digital content source. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus according to  claim 5 , further comprising a format conversion module, connected with the content storing unit storing the digital content, which converts the digital content in compliance with bit rate and resolution for any playback condition adapted to each terminal display device. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus according to  claim 5 , further comprising a playback recording and editing module, connected with the content storing unit, for automatically recording the digital content broadcasted from the media scheduling and broadcasting apparatus to each terminal display device. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the digital content source is a file server, a mail server, live signals or from a network. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus according to  claim 8 , wherein the content capturing module automatically monitors the file server and receives content there-from. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus according to  claim 8 , wherein the content capturing module automatically receives a mail attached with a file and a calendar schedule from the mail server, and serially links to process of the program scheduling module for scheduling the file. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus according to  claim 8 , wherein the content capturing module is used to receive the live signals and retrieve the network streaming for further scheduling. 
     
     
         12 . A media scheduling and broadcasting system, comprising:
 (1) a digital content source, being a mail server;   (2) a media scheduling and broadcasting apparatus, comprising:   a content capturing module, retrieving digital content generated from the digital content source;   a content management module, providing the retrieved digital content for searching and browsing, and providing information related to the digital content including time information and attribute of the digital content;   a channel management module, connected with the content management module, for configuring one or more broadcasting channels for the digital content;   a program scheduling module, according to the retrieved time information of the digital content, for configuring a broadcast time and scheduling to the channel;   a layout configuration module, for configuring a layout on a display screen of one or more terminal display devices; and   a playback-end management module, for managing display and playing condition of the one or more terminal display devices, automatically regulating a way to deliver the digital content, and configuring the one or more terminal display devices according to configurations including a broadcasting channel, object to be broadcasted, and a broadcasting time;   (3) a management system, connected with the media scheduling and broadcasting apparatus, for accessing the media scheduling and broadcasting apparatus via a remote or local connection; and   (4) one or more terminal display devices, connected with the media scheduling and broadcasting apparatus, the terminal display device is a bulletin board, a terminal computer, or a mobile device.   
     
     
         13 . The system according to  claim 12 , further comprising a codec module, connected with the program scheduling module, for automatically converting the digital content into a playing format adapted to the one or more terminal display devices according to a schedule of the program scheduling module. 
     
     
         14 . The system according to  claim 12 , further comprising a content streaming module, which broadcasts the digital content to the one or more terminal display devices as a streaming file in accordance with the broadcasting channel, the object to be broadcasted, and the broadcasting time. 
     
     
         15 . The system according to  claim 12 , further comprising a file delivery module, which delivers the digital content to a media player in form of a file in accordance with the broadcasting channel, the object to be broadcasted, and the broadcasting time. 
     
     
         16 . The system according to  claim 12 , further comprising a content storing unit, which is used for storing digital content retrieved from the digital content source. 
     
     
         17 . The system according to  claim 16 , further comprising a format conversion module format conversion module, connected with the content storing unit, for performing bit-rate and resolution conversion adapted to the playing condition of each terminal display device in reference to the digital content stored in the content storing unit. 
     
     
         18 . The system according to  claim 16 , further comprising a playback recording and editing module , connected with the content storing unit, for automatically recording the digital content broadcasted to the each terminal display device from the media scheduling and broadcasting apparatus. 
     
     
         19 . The system according to  claim 12 , wherein the management system has an operating interface provided for the media scheduling and broadcasting apparatus to perform channel management and configuration. 
     
     
         20 . The system according to  claim 12 , wherein the digital content source is a file server, live signals, or a network. 
     
     
         21 . The system according to  claim 20 , wherein the content capturing module automatically retrieves content of the file server through detection. 
     
     
         22 . The system according to  claim 20 , wherein the content capturing module automatically retrieves a file and a calendar schedule attached with a mail from the mail server, and the content capturing module serially connects to the program scheduling module for scheduling the digital content. 
     
     
         23 . The system according to  claim 20 , wherein the content capturing module retrieves the live signals and the streaming signals over the network, and the signals are prepared for further scheduling operations. 
     
     
         24 . The system according to  claim 12 , wherein the media scheduling and broadcasting system supports the types of the content including video on demand, live broadcasting, media on demand, interactive channel and online conference beside configuring the file format and the way to broadcast the streaming signals. 
     
     
         25 . A method for automatic scheduling for channels, comprising:
 generating a request for content broadcasting request;   retrieving information of the digital content;   storing the digital content;   configuring one or more broadcasting channels of the digital content;   setting up one or more objects to be distributed for the digital content;   setting up one or more types to broadcast the digital content; and   setting up one or more broadcasting times to broadcast the digital content;   whereby, in compliance with the one or more broadcasting channels the digital content is broadcasted to one or more terminal display devices, the one or more objects to be distributed, the one or more types to broadcast, and the one or more broadcasting times.   
     
     
         26 . The method according to  claim 25 , wherein the request for broadcasting the digital content is generated from a management system based on a requirement. 
     
     
         27 . The method according to  claim 26 , wherein the digital content is broadcasted in compliance with the broadcasting time set from the management system. 
     
     
         28 . The method according to  claim 25 , wherein the request to broadcast the digital content is generated in compliance with the schedule set up in an electronic mail extracted by accessing a mail server. 
     
     
         29 . The method according to  claim 28 , wherein the broadcasting time of the digital content is extracted from the mail server. 
     
     
         30 . The method according to  claim 25 , wherein information related to the digital content at least includes a content source, one or more objects to be distributed, a broadcasting time, and attribute for the digital content. 
     
     
         31 . The method according to  claim 30 , wherein the step of configuring the broadcasting channel is in compliance with the content source, the one or more objects to be distributed, the broadcasting time, and the attribute of the digital content. 
     
     
         32 . The method according to  claim 31 , wherein the configuration of the channel includes establishing a new channel or based on an existed channel. 
     
     
         33 . The method according to  claim 25 , wherein the object to be distributed in compliance with the information of the digital content includes a bulletin board, a terminal computer, and/or a mobile device. 
     
     
         34 . The method according to  claim 25 , wherein the step of setting up the type to broadcast comprises:
 broadcasting the content in a form of a file if the digital content is one or more documents or pictures;   broadcasting the content using a streaming method if the digital content is a video, an audio file, or an instant message; and   storing the digital content in a form of video on demand.   
     
     
         35 . The method according to  claim 25 , wherein the step of setting up the type to broadcast, the type to broadcast is decided in compliance with the type of the terminal display device, comprising:
 broadcasting the digital content using a streaming method if the terminal display device is a bulletin board;   selectively broadcasting the digital content in a form of a file, or using the streaming method if the terminal display device is a terminal computer; and   selectively broadcasting the digital content in a form of a file or using the streaming method if the terminal display device is a mobile device; and   storing the digital content in a form of video on demand.   
     
     
         36 . A computer-readable recording medium having computer-executable instructions for executing a method of automatically scheduling channels, wherein the method comprises:
 generating a content broadcasting request;   retrieving information of digital content;   storing the digital content;   configuring one or more broadcasting channel for the digital content;   setting up one or more objects to be distributed of the digital content;   setting up one or more types to broadcast of the digital content; and   setting up one or more broadcasting times for the digital content;   whereby, the digital content is broadcasted to one or more terminal display devices in compliance with the setting one or more broadcasting channels, the one or more objects to be distributed, the one or more types to broadcast, and the one or more broadcasting times.